'The Walking Dead's most recent season 5 renewal came and went with surprisingly little fanfare, the only perhaps unexpected development being that showrunner Scott Gimple would stay on for another year, given all the behind-the-scenes turmoil of previous years. Now, original showrunner Frank Darabont has opened up about AMC's frank dismissal (get it?), calling the network executives "sociopaths," and refusing to watch the series.

“There’s a deep commitment and emotional investment that happens when you create something that is very near and dear to you," said Darabont to Variety of his decision not to watch subsequent seasons of the series. "And when that is torn asunder by sociopaths who don’t give a sh-t about your feelings or the feelings of your cast and crew because they have their own reasons to screw everybody, that doesn’t feel good.”

For those unaware of the history, series creator and showrunner Darabont was dismissed from the series just days after promoting the second season at Comic-Con 2011 and the years since have provided myriad of reasons, from budgetary issues to quality concerns. The conflict took yet another shocking turn when Darabont's replacement Glen Mazzaraleft the series after season 3, citing creative differences over the direction of the series.

Darabont has since moved on to create TNT's miniseries event 'Mob City,' debuting the first of its initial six installments on December 4, but has he kept up with the AMC zombie drama in the seasons since his departure? “Oh god no, why would I? If the woman you loved with all your heart left you for the Pilates instructor and just sent you an invitation to the wedding, would you go?” Hmm. Sounds familiar.

What say you? Was Darabont right to be angry with AMC for dismissing him from the series? Do you prefer the more action-oriented later seasons, compared with Darabont's more nuanced, character-driven episodes? Tell us how you feel about 'The Walking Dead's current state in the comments!